Will Ferrell 'not pursuing' Reagan film, says spokesman

In this Feb. 9, 2016 file photo, Will Ferrell attends the world premiere of "Zoolander 2" in New York.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Will Ferrell is not pursuing a film project about President Ronald Reagan, a spokesman for the actor said Friday. The actor had read and considered the script for "Reagan" but had never committed to developing or starring in the comedic film, which had prompted a strong family backlash.

The script for "Reagan" had been described in a Variety report as a political satire about the president falling into dementia at the start of his second term.

Reagan's children Michael Reagan and Patti Davis, as well as the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, issued statements against the idea of a film portraying dementia and Alzheimer's in a comedic fashion.

Ferrell's spokesman said that "Reagan" is "by no means" an Alzheimer's comedy. Reagan died of the disease in 2004.